Established in 1906 and known as Weston School, classes were initially held in the Bates block around the 1500 block of Elgin Avenue. There were several smaller education facilities in the neighbourhood, including property leased from J. Berryhill, a Presbyterian church on Elgin Avenue, Lock Apartments on Logan Avenue at Lock Street, and a house on Ross Avenue.

A two-storey, 12-classroom building was designed by Winnipeg school architect J. B. Mitchell and constructed between 1908 and 1909 by the contracting firm of Davidson Brothers, at a total cost of $77,000. The cornerstone was laid by Senator John T. Haig. Opened on 22 February 1909, the school’s original capacity was about 700 students. Known as East Street when the school was built, between William and Elgin avenues, the street was later renamed Cecil, perhaps in commemoration of the school. Cecil Rhodes School was named for noted British businessman and imperialist Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), for whom the prestigious Rhodes scholarship program is also named.

By 1918, the school was overcrowded so Cecil Rhodes School No. 2, a one-storey building with an additional six classrooms, was erected nearby. Two years later, five more classrooms and an assembly hall were added to it and, in 1922, four more classrooms were added, all under Mitchell’s supervision.

The No. 1 school building is now used as the Adolescent Parent Centre, providing education for young women who are pregnant or with young children. It is a satellite program of the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre.

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